Page 97

DECKER

We’re at the bar the resort offers, a pool with a swim-up bar, another tiki-like hut in the corner and closer to the ocean, which is where the two of us are right now.

Yesterday, we finally took to the water to snorkel, and no matter how much sunscreen we applied in between taking breaks and eating, the sun still got to the both of us.

It’s part of the reason we’re here; the other is if we stayed holed up in my place any longer, Leena would be walking around bowlegged, and my cock would be rubbed raw.

“You okay, baby?” I ask her as she spins the straw in her drink, a rum punch. Clearly, Leena isn’t digging it by the way it’s melting rapidly after only taking a few sips.

“I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” The sigh that leaves her tells me otherwise, but instead of poking and prodding, I leave it be.

“Francisco, can we get a margarita on the rocks, extra salt, and another bourbon and Coke?” Leena’s eyes that drifted away from me come crashing back to mine.

“Sure thing. Anything else?” he replies.

“You want anything to eat? Chips and salsa or dessert?” That gets her attention. Before landing here at the bar, we ate breakfast hours ago, walked along the beach, and then hung out under the cabana.

“Yes to chips and salsa, no to dessert. Not yet at least. And maybe a quesadilla.” She wasn’t lying when she said she and Montana, her best friend, are addicted to all things Tex-Mex. Francisco nods. I hold my fingers up letting him know to make that two.

“You got it.” He walks to the computer, puts our order in, and then starts working on our drinks.

“How’d you know I didn’t like my drink?” Leena asks. It’s almost obtuse. My eyes have been on her; not like it takes a whole lot to see what she likes and doesn’t.

“Baby, you’ve been nursing that drink for an hour now.

Clearly, you’re not a fan of rum and prefer tequila, much like I’d rather drink bourbon or whiskey compared to gin.

Now, you going to tell me what has you so deep in thought?

” Maybe now that she sees I’m not going to let her sit and wallow, she’ll talk.

“I’m just enjoying the view.” Off in the distance, there’s a small group of people. Noticeably, a woman is in a white dress, the man in a suit, and a few people are standing off to the side.

“Do you ever see yourself getting married one day?” We haven’t touched on this subject. Not that I’m opposed to it or haven’t had thoughts of her permanently tied to me.

“Definitely. You?” She has an elbow to the bar top, her hand propping up her chin, and a soft smile on her face.

“Truth be told, I figured I’d have been married by now.

I’m thirty-nine. I worked my ass off for my career, helped my brother more than myself just for him to fuck up his own life with his now ex-wife and kids.

So, yeah, marriage and a few children, it’s in my future.

” Francisco places our drinks in front of us, grabbing my empty one and Leena’s not so finished one that I pushed in front of us.

We both thank him. This time, Leena’s lips wrap around the straw, taking a sip, and then she sighs.

“Clearly, you and I have a lot in common. I love my nephew with all of my heart. My brother wasn’t in the mix like that, but he was a single father for many years, so we all helped.

Now the next question, how many children?

” Now it’s me who takes a deep breath. I take a drink of my own before answering.

“You’ll run away when I tell you.” The chips and salsa appear. She digs right in, and I finish my sentence, “Four. I’d like four. I’m willing to settle for three, though.”

“Jesus, Decker, that’s half of a baseball team. I guess you weren’t kidding. I, uh, think I’ll be heading back now.” She goes to stand up, the total goof that she is, because she’s attempting not to laugh, and by doing so, a snort leaves her.

“Fuck, baby, you’re a goof,” I tell her my thoughts, watching her as she regains her composure, barely.

“Maybe so, but four kids? Wow, four kids,” she repeats. I pick up her hand, holding it in mine, placing a kiss on her knuckles before letting it go.

“Too many?” I ask.

“No, but with you already being thirty-nine, nearing forty, you may want to start soon. I hear men’s swimmers start to diminish as they get older.”

It seems she is full of jokes tonight, and it’s definitely time to cool off. I grab her by the hips, pulling her off of her barstool. “Francisco, we’ll be right back.” Her legs are already wrapped around my waist, and laughter is bubbling up inside of her.

“I’m going to show you just how old I am.” She doesn’t get a chance to respond. The pool is pretty empty with all the amenities the resort offers, plus it being all-inclusive, that means there are no children.

“I take it back, promise. You’re not old. Oh my gosh, Decker!” Those are her last words as I jump into the pool. Seeing how she could have tried her best to squirm her way out of my hold and didn’t, I’m thinking she knew what I was going to do.

The cool pool water surrounds us. My eyes open beneath the surface, seeing the smile on her face before she presses her lips to mine.

Her arms are around my shoulders. I use my legs to propel us back to the surface, and once the air hits us, our kiss deepens.

All is fucking right in the world. The truth of the matter is I can see my future with Leena—marriage, kids, a home—and I’ve got a plan up my sleeve to make that happen.